What does a missionary look like?

When you picture a missionary, what do they look like? Quite often in response to that question I think we tend to picture missionaries as American (or at least white people). But it's exciting to realize that many missionaries to foreign countries are NOT from the US, not white, and that number is growing every day. Check out the photo above and you'll see a bunch of missionaries in Central America (and one white guy). At the end of September we held two key Young Life trainings in Nicaragua. The first was with seven Nicaraguans who are now ministering with Young Life in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. These are missionaries who have left home and family to live in foreign lands and build up teams to minister to teens and they are a remarkable group. We also held a training for 35 YL Area Directors from 7 different countries, who really are leading lots of folks to be missionaries into the world of teenagers in their own neighborhoods. Both of these times were really encouraging.  
Together we dug deeper into not just what we do in YL--reaching and discipling lost teens- but also WHY and how we do it. We were reminded of Jesus sending us, just as he was sent (John 20:21) and our leaders left better equipped to face challenges and lead through them.
Here's some quotes from the participants about what these training times meant to them:
"It was a very good, fun and beneficial time. We had time to be with friends who are doing the same work all around Central America. It's a unique community of people who are passionate for Jesus and for teenagers. We had a great time focusing on our personal relationship with Jesus. And very importantly we also received good teaching to help me do my job better."
"It was a time where Jesus spoke to me, challenged me, and encouraged me in Him."
"A time of rest and spiritual refreshment. I heard the voice of God and He confirmed how to keep working. I recovered my joy!"
Thanks for helping us equip and encourage these servants of the Lord.  
Scott and Jenn

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